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Thursday, 20 September 2012

How to Use Flat Files In Informatica

To use flat files in
Informatica the first step is to import or create the definition in the repository.
Once the flat file definition is created we can use them as source, target or
lookup in the mappings.

How to import a flat
file

First thing we need to make
sure is that the flat file should be local directory of the client machine.
Once the file is located we can Import the same using Import file Option in
Designer. When we import we need to mention the below prompts:

File name and location

File code page

File type

Column names and data
types

Number of header rows in
the file

Column size and null
characters for fixed-width files

Delimiter types, quote
character, and escape character for delimited files.

Flat files can be of two
types:

Fixed
width Flat files:

The data
in such flat files are separated by a fixed width and are byte oriented. Hence
when we import using the Designer we need to give column breaks using the Flat
File Wizard such that there is no misalignment.

Importing
Fixed-Width Flat Files:

Import
the flat file into source or target using the Import from file option in
Designer.

Select
the file and click OK.

Enter the
type of file as Fixed Width

Now you
can use the wizard to give the appropriate column breaks.

Finish

Delimited Flat files:

Delimited files are
character oriented and are separated by a character. Each row ends with a new
line character.

Importing Delimited Flat
files:

Import the flat file into
source or target using the Import from file option in Designer

Select the file and click OK.

Select type of file as Delimited for a delimited
file.

Enter the details prompted like the type of delimiter used
and escape character and click finish